Ten free and amazing tools for Windows PC

If you're buying a computer and are on a tight budget, don't opt for expensive pre-installed software. You don't have to resort to risky and illegal pirated versions either. ET Wealth lists some legitimate applications that work almost as well as their popular paid counterparts, yet cost nothing.

Without an operating system, a computer is nothing but a box. And operating systems cost money, though most of us don't notice the fact as they come pre-installed on our computers. However, if you you have a tight budget, you could buy a PC without such software since a computer without an OS generally costs less than one which has Windows installed on it.

Of course, you would need an OS and we suggest you try Ubuntu, an excellent alternative to Windows and which has a thriving user community that will help you solve any issues that may arise. There is lots of supporting software too but you need to be patient to grasp it. However, before opting for Ubuntu, check that the hardware you purchase for your computer is compatible it.

It might be one of the best-known mobile applications in the world, but you do not get the BlackBerry Messenger for free. You have to pay your operator a rental fee to use it, apart from having to first invest in a BlackBerry handset. If all you want is the ability to swap messages and pictures with your friends without shelling out SMS costs or having to pay an operator for the service, try WhatsApp Messenger.

It works on most phones, and comes free of cost for a year on many of them. You will not be able to do quite as much as a BlackBerry Boy in terms of file sharing, but it's enough to take care of texting and photo swapping. And you won't have to spend money buying a new BB handset.

One of the first things that you must install on a new computer is an anti-virus software. The problem, of course, is that anti-virus packages cost money and often get outdated within a year or two, necessitating a fresh purchase. If you are the type that is reasonably careful and does not open attachments from strangers, you could try Avast!, which has a good free edition.

The interface is not as smooth as the one you get from a McAfee or Norton solution, nor will you get as many customisation and scanning options, but there is good chance that combined with some prudence, this software will ensure that no harm comes from viruses to the data on your computer.

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, but don't be put off by the hefty name. What the software actually does is let you create magic with images. No matter how you wish to tweak a picture, be it in terms of layers, colours, shading or adding new elements, GIMP will enable you to do so.

The best bit: unlike most graphic editors which cost as much as a high-end smartphone, GIMP is available for free. The open source brigade even claims that it is better than Adobe PhotoShop in some regards. We will not get into that debate, but it certainly speaks highly of GIMP to be mentioned in the same breath as Adobe's iconic software.

OpenOffice.org

Free alternative to: MS Office

Available at: openoffice.org

Contrary to what a number of people believe, most computers do not come with free copies of MS Office, Microsoft's outstanding office suite comprising of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. The suite costs a bit of money (starting price is Rs 3,000) and when it comes preinstalled on a computer, adds to its price.

If you are not in the mood to loosen your purse strings for it, download a free copy of OpenOffice.org from the Web. The software has everything you will need-word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, etc. It may look a lot less sleek than MS Office but works just as well and best of all, is compatible with it. So, if anyone sends you an MS Office file, you can open and edit it with OpenOffice as well as create your own MS Office files.

Mention voice recording and editing software and most people will think that you are made of money, as the likes of Adobe Audition do not come cheap. The fact, however, is that if you are ready to invest some time in learning the ropes, Audacity can help you do a fair lot in terms of both sound recording and editing.